Post-Doctoral Associates
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Huaiyuan "Ethan" HuEthan is a native of Lanzhou, China. He earned BS and MS degrees in chemistry from Lanzhou University before coming to UA in fall 2011. He initially worked with Dr. Thomas Vaid on semiconducting MOF structures. In January 2015, he joined the Shaughnessy group. His PhD research focused on the mechanism of amine acylation reactions catalyzed by Pd/trineopentylphosphine ligands. Dr. Hu received his PhD in December 2016 and then served as a post-doctoral associate with the Shaughnessy group through the summer of 2019. His post-doc research focused on developing stable precatalysts for palladium catalyzed-coupling reactions and studying their activation mechanisms.
BS, Lanzhou University (2011) PhD, The University of Alabama (2016)
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Matthew LauerDr. Matthew Lauer joined the Shaughnessy group in 2013 after completing his PhD under the direction of James Stambuli at OSU. Matt studied ligand controlled product selectivity in Heck couplings and developed a new palladacycle catalyst for the selective cross-dimerization of alkynes. Matt accepted a position with PharmAgra Labs in fall 2015.
BS, Northern Kentucky University (2007) PhD, The Ohio State University (2012)
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Steven RadersDr. Steven Raders joined the Shaughnessy group in 2010. His work at UA focused on the development of new phosphine ligands and their application in Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling. In 2012, he accepted a position with Dwight & Church.
BS, Louisiana Tech (2003) PhD, Iowa State University (2009)
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Michael SligerDr. Michael Sliger joined the Shaughnessy group in 2002. Michael's work focused on the development of new sterically demanding ligands and fundamental studies of the effect of ionic liquids on organometallic reactivity. In 2004, he moved to Wesleyan University as a post-doctoral associate in the lab of Prof. Joseph Bruno. In 2006, Michael began working for Aerogel, Inc on the development of carbon aerogel materials. In 2007, he moved to the lithium battery division of Duracell, Inc.
BS (magna cum laude), Western Illinois University (1992) PhD, University of Iowa (2002)
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Graduate Students
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Jordan PierceJordan entered the PhD program at UA in fall 2017. She received a BS degree in Bellarmine University. Her research focused on synthesis of novel ligands for bond activation reactions.
BS, Bellarmine University (2017) PhD, The University of Alabama (2022)
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Benjamin HeadfordBenjamin earned a Chemistry BS at Murray State University where he did research with former Shaughnessy group member Scott Brown. Benjamin joined the Shaughnessy group in summer 2013. His research focused on the synthesis of novel unsymmetric phosphine and phosphine oxide ligands. Benjamin is currently a medicinal chemist at Southern Research Institute.
BS, Murray State University (2013) PhD, The University of Alabama (2022)
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Corrie BurlasCorrie received a BS in Chemistry at West Virginia University. She entered the PhD program in fall 2015. Her research focused on the use of palladacycle catalysts for hydroalkynylation reactions.
BS, West Virginia University (2015) PhD, The University of Alabama (2022)
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Jacob ScantlandJacob joined the PhD program in fall 2019 and began working with the Shaughnessy group at the end of 2019. Jacob's research focuses on the synthesis of new heterobidentate ligand structures. He completed his masters in 2021 and accepted a position with Greenlight Biosciences in the Boston area.
BS, Tennessee Tech (2019) MS, The University of Alabama (2021) |
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Matthew DelahayMatthew entered the MS program in fall 2018 and joined the Shaughnessy group in spring 2019. His research focused on the synthesis of palladium amine complexes as self-activating catalyst precursors. After graduation, he accepted a position with Avanti Polar Lipids in Birmingham.
BS, The University of Alabama (2018) MS, The University of Alabama (2020)
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Ashley GilliamAshley completed her MS in chemistry in the accelerated masters program. She joined the group in fall 2018 as an undergraduate student while pursuing a double major in dance and chemistry. Her research focused on the use of ketones as catalyst activators in palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. After graduation, Ashley accepted a position with Avanti Polar Lipids in Birmingham.
BA, Dance, The University of Alabama (2019) BS, Chemistry, The University of Alabama (2019) MS, The University of Alabama (2020)
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Spencer AlanizSpencer earned a BS in chemistry at UA in 2011. He started in the graduate program in Chemistry fall 2011. Spencer's research focused on exploring aqueous-biphasic cross-coupling reactions in microfluidic continuous flow systems.
BS, The University of Alabama (2011) |
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Kerry BarnettKerry earned a BS in Chemistry at Mississippi State University. She started in the PhD program in chemistry in fall 2013 and joined the Shaughnessy group soon after. Kerry's research has focused on air-stable palladium phosphine complexes as precatalysts for cross-coupling reactions. Kerry was a GAANN fellow during the 2016-17 academic year. After finishing her PhD, Kerry accepted a post-doctoral position at Smith College. She is currently an assistant professor at the University of Central Arkansas.
BS, Mississippi State University (2013) PhD, The University of Alabama (2017)
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Jeffrey SemmesJeff earned his undergraduate degree at the University of West Florida and entered the PhD program at UA in fall 2011. Jeff developed an effective catalyst for the acylation of malonate esters using di-tert-butylneopentylphosphine in combination with palladium. In collaboration with ThruPore Technologies, Jeff has tested novel palladium on carbon catalysts for cross-coupling reactions and hydrogenation of alkenes.
BS, University of West Florida (2011) |
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Jane MooreJane Moore earned her chemistry degree at Tennessee Wesleyan University. She spent the summer of 2008 in the Shaughnessy group as a SURP student. After completing her degree at TWU in 2009, Jane rejoined the group as a graduate student. Jane's research is focused on design and synthesis of water-soluble phosphines. Upon completing her PhD in 2014, Jane entered the UA School of Dentistry and earned her DMD in 2019. She is currently a resident at the University of Tennessee Dental School in Memphis.
BS, Tennessee Wesleyan University (2009) MS, The University of Alabama (2012) PhD, The University of Alabama (2014) DMD, University of Alabama School of Dentistry (2019)
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Dayne FraserDayne came to UA with a McNair fellowship. Dayne joined the Shaughnessy group in fall 2008. His research focused on understanding electron transfer in dye-sensitized solar cells using model titanium complexes.
BS, Kennesaw State University (2008) MS, The University of Alabama (2012) |
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Christopher Nigel WelchNigel earned his undergraduate degree at UT-Chattanooga and worked with Dr. Kyle Knight on metal catalyzed reactions. Nigel joined the Shaughnessy group in summer 2008. Nigel's work focused on the development of new Pd catalysts for cross-coupling reactions.
BS, University of Tennessee Chattanooga (2008) MS, The University of Alabama (2012) |
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William Scott BrownScott is a native of Lewisburg, Kentucky, where he was raised on a Tobacco farm that he still works in his spare time. Scott joined the program at UA in fall of 2004. Scott's research has focused on mechanisms and applications of cross-coupling reactions. Scott currently teaches high school chemistry in Kentucky.
BS, Western Kentucky University (2001) PhD, The University of Alabama (2009)
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Lensey L. HillLensey came to UA in 2004 and joined the Shaughnessy group soon after. Lensey's work focused on the development and application of new ligands for Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions. She contributed to studies on the application of neopentyl phosphines to Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions. She also structurally characterized a number of neopentylphosphine-palladium complexes both in solution and in the solid state. Lensey currently works for Daikin America.
BS, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (2004) PhD, The University of Alabama (2009)
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Joon Hyung ChoJoon-Hyung Cho is a native of South Korea. Joon joined the chemistry program at UA in August 2002. Joon's research focused on the modification of unprotected halogenated nucleosides using water-soluble palladium catalysts. Joon has also developed the first examples of Pd-catalyzed aryl selenylation. After completing his PhD, he was a post-doctoral associate with Prof. Scott Gilbertson at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. Joon is currently employed by Entropy Solutions..
BS, Seoul National University, Korea (1989) MS, Seoul National University, Korea (1992) PhD, The University of Alabama (2007)
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S. Justin P'PoolJustin joined the Shaughnessy group in 2001. Justin's research focused largely on the effect of ionic liquids on organometallic reactivity. He studied olefin polymerization reactions in ILs as well as the kinetics of oxidative addition of methyl iodide to Vaska's complex. Upon completing his PhD, Justin joined Dr. Hans Schanz's lab at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he worked on developing aqueous-phase olefin polymerization catalysts. Justin is currently an instructor at Indianapolis University
BS, University of Kentucky (2001) PhD, The University of Alabama (2006)
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Lucas MooreLucas is a native of Mississippi and attended the University of West Alabama. He joined the Shaughnessy group in the summer of 2002. Lucas has been involved in a variety of projects during his time at UA. He worked on the catalytic application of sulfonated ortho-substituted arylphosphines and t-Bu-Amphos in aqueous-phase cross-coupling reactions. He also developed the first examples of hydrophilic N-heterocyclic carbene precursors with anionic substituents. Upon completing his PhD at UA, Lucas joined the lab of Dr. Dave Vicic at the University of Arkansas as a post-doctoral associate. Lucas is currently Manager, Technical Customer Service Group, ArrMaz.
BS, University of West Alabama (2002) PhD, The University of Alabama (2006)
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Elizabeth C. WesternBeth grew up in Dyersburg, TN and earned a double major in Music (Voice) and Chemistry at MTSU. She entered the graduate program in the fall of 2001 and joined the Shaughnessy group. Beth's research focused on the catalytic modification of nucleosides using water-soluble catalyst systems. She developed efficient methods for Suzuki coupling of halonucleosides and elucidated the mechanism by which guanine inhibits the catalyst system in these reactions. Beth earned a thesis masters in 2004. Her thesis was named the Outstanding Master's Thesis by the College of Arts & Sciences. In 2005, Beth completed her dissertation. Her dissertation was named the UA Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation in 2007. Upon graduating from UA, Beth entered the UA School of Medicine and earned her MD in 2011. Beth currently works as a doctor for the VA in in Tuscaloosa.
BS, Middle Tennessee State University (2001) MS, The University of Alabama (2004) PhD, The University of Alabama (2005) MD, University of Alabama School of Medicine (2009)
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Rongcai HuangRongcai is a native of China. He came to UA in the fall of 2001 as a member of the Shaughnessy group. Rongcai's work covered a range of topics, including: asymmetric hydrogenation of imines and ketones, development of enzyme based assays for high-throughput enantioselectivity screening, synthesis and catalytic application of water-soluble palladacycles, and Rh-catalyzed coupling of aldehydes and boronic acids in aqueous solvents. Upon finishing his PhD at UA, Rongcai was a postdoctoral associate position with Prof. Brian Frost at the University of Nevada-Reno. Rongcai is employed as a research scientist with J&W Pharmalab.
BS, Hangzhou University (1989) MS, Hangzhou University (1992) PhD, The University of Alabama (2005)
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Rebecca B. DeVasherRebecca is a native of Talladega, AL. She joined the Shaughnessy group in the fall of 2000. Her research focused on the application of water-soluble, sterically demanding phosphines in aqueous-phase coupling reactions and efforts to understand the coordination chemistry of these ligands. In 2004, Rebecca became the first person to complete a PhD in the Shaughnessy group. Upon graduation, Rebecca joined the faculty of Rose-Hulmann Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, IN and is currently an associate professor.
BS, The University of Alabama (2000) PhD, The University of Alabama (2004)
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Undergraduate Students
Madison BeverMadison is a chemistry major interested in a career in forensics. She worked in our group during the spring 2023 semester.
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Geoffrey AlintoffGeoffrey is a New College major and a University Fellow. He joined the Shaughnessy group in fall 2021. His research is focused on synthesizing new ligands for extraction of heavy metal ions from water sources.
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Jacques VanZylJacques joined the group in spring 2021. He is a biology major at UA. Jacques research is focused on the synthesis of ligands with acid/base sights capable of participating in cooperative catalysis. He completed his UA degree in biology in 2023. He has enrolled as a medical student at the UA School of Medicine.
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Trey VardamanTrey is a New College major who joined the Shaughnessy group in fall 2021. Trey's research is focused on the use of palladacycle catalysts for the cross-coupling of alkynes. He earned his BS degree in 2022 and is currently a research assistant in Daniel Tyrell's lab at UAB.
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Lindsey HiattLindsey is a Chemical Engineering major. She joined the Shaughnessy group in fall 2021. Her research is focused on designing new palladium precatalysts for cross-coupling reactions.
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Tattum DenhamTattum joined the group in summer 2021. She graduated in December 2021 with a degree Public Health. Her research focused on the synthesis of ligands for ligand-metal cooperative catalysis.
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Alexander LundAlexander joined the Shaughnessy group in fall 2019. He graduated in 2021 with a biology degree. His research focused on developing new ligands containing acidic/basic sites near the metal center.
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Brendan RosamondBrendan worked in the group during the spring 2021 semester. He completed his BS degree in chemistry at UA and will enroll in the medical school program at the University of South Alabama.
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Maddie PlunkettMaddie joined the group in spring 2019. She is a Musical Theater and Chemistry double major. Her research is focused on the synthesis and catalytic application of neopentylphosphine ligands. After graduating in spring 2021, Maddie accepted an internship in New York City. She plans to apply to medical school.
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Luke LaRochelleLuke is a Biology major. He worked with the Shaughnessy group in fall 2019 semester. His research focused on developing new ligands for palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions.
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Holly BerkleyHolly worked in the group during the spring 2020 semester. She gradauted in spring 2020 with a biology degree. She is currently applying to dental school.
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Tomasz GruchalaTom joined the group in fall 2018 as a Randall Research Scholar. His research focused on the development and application of new palladium precatalysts for cross-coupling reactions. He graduated with a chemistry degree in spring 2020.
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Brent KuhnelBrent joined the group during the summer of 2017. He was a Chemical & Biological Engineering major. His research focused on the synthesis of new unsymmetric diphosphine ligands. After graduating in spring 2019, Brent is taking a gap year before applying to medical school.
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Jade KelleyJade was a Biology major at UA. He joined the Shaughnessy group in the spring of 2017 and graduated in spring 2019. Jade's research focused on the use of air-stable precatalysts for use in cross-coupling reactions. Jade is enrolled in the University of Texas School of Dentistry.
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Sabrina CurleySabrina joined the Shaughnessy group during the fall 2017 semester. She was a Mechanical Engineering major with a minor in Chemistry. Sabrina worked on a collaborative project with the Martin Bakker group on the incorporation of metal ligand complexes in hierarchically porous carbon materials. She graduated from UA in spring 2019 and will enroll in the PhD program in Materials Engineering at Michigan State University.
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Connar Franklin
Connar was a Chemistry major in the STEM MBA program. He joined the Shaughnessy group in spring 2016 as an Emerging Scholar Program participant. Connar's research focused on aqueous-biphasic reactions in microfluidic flow systems and C-H functionalization reactions. After completing his BS in 2018, he went on to finish his MBA at UA.
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Zoe ZiegenhornZoe joined the Shaughnessy group in spring 2018. Zoe is a french major. She worked on the synthesis of new heterobidentate ligands using a modular approach to introduce two different coordinating groups on organic dihalides. Zoe graduated in spring 2019 and will study holistic medicine in Thailand.
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James HowardJames joined the Shaughnessy group in summer 2016. James' research focused on the use of air-stable palladium complexes as catalyst precursors for cross-coupling reactions and C-H activation processes. James earned an ACS-certified BS in chemistry in May 2018. He earned PhD at the University of Texas with Eric Anslyn and is currently a post-doctoral associate with Matthew Sigman at Utah.
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Michelle WeyhauptMichelle was a Biology and Psychology double major. She joined the Shaughnessy group in fall 2015. Michelle's research focused on alkyne cross-coupling reactions and developing new ligands for cross-coupling reactions. After graduating from UA in spring 2017, she enrolled in the MD program at Vanderbilt School of Medicine.
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Renee StullichRenee joined the Shaughnessy group in fall 2015. Renee's research has focused on the use of air-stable palladium pre-catalysts for cross-coupling reactions. After earning a BS in Biology at UA in spring 2017, Renee entered the MD program at the Medical University of South Carolina.
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Jacob TrullJacob is a Chemical Engineering major and joined the Shaughnessy group in fall 2015. Jacob's research has focused on the synthesis of novel heterobidentate ligand structures. After graduating in spring 2017, Jacob entered the MS program in Environmental Engineering at UA.
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Oliva Gobble Olivia is a Chemistry major. She joined the Shaughnessy group in fall 2015. Olivia's research has focused on alkyne cross-coupling reactions and developing new ligands for cross-coupling reactions. After graduating from UA in spring 2017, Olivia entered the MD program at the UA School of Medicine.
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Colin TreagerColin was in the Shaughnessy group from summer 2015-spring 2016. He is currently in the MBA program at UA.
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Adam ShipleyAdam worked in the Shaughnessy group from fall 2014 to spring 2016. He is currently in the MD program at the UA School of Medicine.
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Russell MacoonRussell was in the Shaughnessy group from fall 2014 to spring 2016. Russell is in the PhD program in Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Florida
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Haddon MullinsHaddon did research with the Shaughnessy group from fall 2013 to spring 2016. He is currently in the MD program at the UA School of Medicine.
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Rachel VanOsdolRachel was an REU participant in summer 2015 from Fairmont State University in West Virginia. Rachel worked on aqueous-phase C-H arylation reactions. After graduating, Rachel enrolled in the PhD program in Chemistry at the University of Colorado.
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Jordan KurdiJordan worked in the group in 2014-2015 as a member of the Emerging Scholars Program.
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Megan JohnstonMegan joined the group in spring 2013 as an Emerging Scholars Program participant. Megan graduated with a BS in Chemistry in 2015
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Sara FreseSara Frese did research during the fall 2014 semester.
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Hudson PierceHudson was in the Shaughnessy group from spring 2012 to spring 2013. After graduation, he enrolled in medical school at Cornell University.
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Jason WangJason was in the group from 2011-2013. He enrolled in the UA School of Medicine after graduating.
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Nicholas Laskay
Nick worked in the group from 2012-2013.
He enrolled in the UA School of Medicine after graduating.
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Kevin DuqueKevin was in the group from 2012 to 2013. He enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico School of Dentistry after graduating.
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Stephanie BevansStephanie worked in the group form 2011-2013. She is attending the UA School of Medicine.
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Apsana ShresthaApsana did research during the summer of 2013 as part of an NSF-RUI grant. She was an undergraduate at Southeastern Louisiana.
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Elizabeth KimballElizabeth did research during the summer of 2013 as part of an NSF-RUI grant. After completing her BS in chemistry at Southeastern Louisiana, she earned a MS degree in Chemistry at LSU.
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Sarju AdhikariSarju was a participant in the NSF RUI program from Southeastern Louisiana during the 2012 and 2013 summers.
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Luke BrechtelsbauerLuke worked in the group from 2011 to 2013. After completing a ChemE degree, he enrolled in the ChemE PhD program at MIT.
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Jessica JonesJessica joined the group in 2010 as a member of the Emerging Scholars Program. Jessica works at the National Center for Pain Management & Research.
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Mallory ThompsonMallory worked in the group in 2012. She completed a degree in Nursing.
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Alfred HamiltonAlfred worked in the group from 2011 to 2013.
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Arjun PandeyArjun did research during the summer of 2012 as part of an NSF-RUI grant. He was an undergraduate at Southeastern Louisiana.
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Bhijay BhattaraiBhijay did research during the summer of 2012 as part of an NSF-RUI grant. After completing his BS at Southeastern Louisiana, he enrolled in the PhD program in chemistry at the University of Michigan.
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Aaron ColemanAaron was a member of the group from 2011-2012. After graduation, he earned an MD at the University of South Alabama. He is currently a resident at Baptist Health System.
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Emma CattEmma worked in the group in 2011-2012. After completing a nursing degree, she took a position with Children's Hospital of Alabama.
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Kali ColemanKali was a participant in the Emerging Scholars Program in 2011-12. She is attending the UA School of Physical Therapy.
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John NguyenJohn was a member of the group in summer 2011.
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Will ScoginWill was an REU student working on a joint project with the Shaughnessy and Bakker groups. After graduating, Will entered the Physical Therapy program at UAB.
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Rachel MustainRachel was an REU student during the summer of 2011 from Mississippi State. She is an Administrative Analyst at UC San Francisco.
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Ashley MillerAshley was a member of the group from 2009 to 2011. She is employed as a chemist at Kennametal.
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Kristy BeardenKristy was a member of the group from 2009 to 2011. After completing a double major in Chemistry and Dance, Kristy enrolled in the Philadelphia College of Medicine in Atlanta.
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Thomas LeißingThomas spent the summer of 2010 in the Shaughnessy group on a DAAD-RISE fellowship. Thomas is pursuing a masters degree at TU-Munich.
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Duncan HarmonDuncan worked in the group from 2009-2010. He completed an MD degree at the UA School of Medicine. He is currently a resident at UAB Hospital.
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David BeasleyDavid was in the group from 2009 to 2010. After graduating, David enrolled in the UA Law School.
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Zane HydeZane was in the group from 2009 to 2010. After graduating, he enrolled in the UA School of Medicine.
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Hanna WelchHanna worked in the group in 2009-10. After finishing at UA, she earned a PharmD at the University of Michigan. She is currently a resident at the University Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy.
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Jackie ParksJackie worked in the group in 2009-10. After graduating, she earned an MD from the UA School of Medicine.
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Zachary HawkinsZach joined the group in 2008 as a member of the Emerging Scholars Program.
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Hannah BoxHannah was a chemistry major at UA and worked in the group from 2008-2010. She earned a PhD in chemistry at Mississippi State.
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